Last Stand At Stalingrad
The
pace of the German advance during the
early days of Operation Blue in 1942 was
reminiscent of that achieved in the early
months of Operation Barbarossa. As a
result, by the end of August, the Red Army
was prepared to make what was, for all
intents, a last stand at Stalingrad.
Prelude to Stalingrad
German
experience during the period leading up to
the launch of their second summer
offensive against the Soviet Union gave
them reason to be optimistic.
Battle for the Seelow Heights - Part II
In
this epic battle, Heinrici demonstrated
that even in April 1945 the German army
could put up a tough fight. An embarrassed
Zhukov ended up racing Konev to Berlin
because he failed to anticipate the
strength of the German defense.
Battle for the Seelow Heights Part I
Stalin
and Zhukov were both determined to capture
Berlin. In April 1945 all that stood in
the way of the mighty Soviet army was
Colonel General Heinrici and Army Group
Vistula.
The Battle for Moscow - Part II
German
decisions during the Battle of Smolensk
were decisive for the strategic direction
of the Barbarossa campaign. Moscow was to
be attacked only after the flanks were
cleared. This delayed an offensive toward
Moscow to the end of September 1941.
The Battle for Moscow - Part I
German
planning for the invasion of the USSR had
inherently conflicting objectives. The
German generals wanted to strike at
Moscow. Hitler did not. This dispute over
strategic direction ended with the Battle
of Smolensk. Hitler won.
Barbarossa or Sealion?
After
the fall of France in 1940, Germany faced
a difficult strategic choice between
invading England or attacking the Soviet
Union. The latter option proved
preferable.
The German Reaction to Blitzkrieg
The
Germans understood Blitzkrieg warfare as
poorly as the Allies. Their military
leaders tolerated its best practitioners
only so long as they were successful and
sacked them thereafter.
The Blitzkrieg Revolution
The
Third Reich had to defeat its opponents
before they could adapt to Blitzkrieg
warfare.
AFV Development During World War II
A
brief history of tank design and
development during WWII.
Effectiveness of Allied Bombing in Europe
Did
strategic bombing during World War II have
a decisive impact on the outcome of the
war?
Allied or Soviet Victory in Europe?
There
is no doubt that the war in Europe, for
the most part, was fought and won on the
Eastern Front. While the Soviet Union
invested much more blood and treasure, it
was the US and its allies that reaped the
greatest benefits. |